Defender Mark Ellis hoping to extend his stay beyond this summer

Mark Ellis is hoping he can extend his two-year stay at the club this summer. The defender is out of contract after making 92 appearances for the club over the last two seasons. The former Torquay United and Bolton defender helped the club lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last season and played an important role in seeing us escape the drop into League Two this season. Ellis, 25, was voted as the supporters’ Man-of-the-Match against Preston North End at the weekend and he is hoping he has done enough to be offered a new deal.

Steve Davis and his staff are still finalising their retain list with the likes of Ellis, Kelvin Mellor, Abdul Osman, Byron Moore and AJ Leitch-Smith all set to see their contracts expire.

Mark told the club’s official web-site: “I’ve not spoken to the gaffer as yet. I am sure we will over the next couple of weeks. All I can do is wait and see if I’m offered anything.

“I think I’ve proved myself in League One after proving myself in League Two last season and before that. I think I’ve improved as a player since I came to Crewe and I’ve enjoyed it. I have become a better defender and that is down to the manager and the coaching here.

“It has been a tough season for everyone but we came through in the end and I’d said for a long time that there is enough talent in this squad for us to compete at this level. We can beat anyone on our day. We were only beaten once in our last six games and the lads showed great character to avoid relegation.

“The contract is not something that I have been dwelling on but it is in the back of your mind because you like to know what is happening. I’m sure it will be sorted as soon as it can be.

Mark added: “I would like to stay here. I have enjoyed it here and my family are settled.”